Needle threader



Oct. 15, 1940. w, 3 THOMPSON 2,218,059

NEEDLE THREADER Filed July 20, 1959 W5171ompa072 ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 15, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE William S. Thompson, Monroe, Ohio Application July 20, 1939, Serial No. 285,600

1 Claim.

The invention relates to a threading device and more particularly to a needle threader.

The primary object of the invention is a device of this character wherein a needle of any size can be automatically threaded through the eye end thereof and thereby eliminating the necessity of the hand threading of such needle which is rather tedious and vexing, especially when the needle eye is of extremely small size.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character wherein the different sizes of needles can be placed therein so that a thread may be introduced into the eye end of the selected needle for threading and the threading being had-with dispatch.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character which is simple in its construction, thoroughly reliable and efiicient in operation, being of a size so that it can be conveniently carried in a sewing bag, basket or on the person, possessed of but few parts, strong, durable, and inexpensive to manufacture.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described in detail, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, which discloses the preferred embodiment of the invention and pointed out in the claim hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the device constructed in accordance with the invention showing fragmentarily a needle held therein.

Figure 2 is a plan view.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation partly in section.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3 looking in the direction of the arrows. v

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 showing a needle threaded in the use of the device.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 7 is an enlarged vertical transverse sectional view through the device.

Referring to the drawing in detail, A designates generally the device constructed in accordance with the invention and comprises a straight shank Ill for a major extent thereof being of uniform cross sectional size having at one end a curled finger engaging terminal I I while at the opposite end is a head I2, this head I2 being cut into to provide a recess I3 opening in the direction of theshank I and effects an overhanging extension I4 with relation to the said shank Ill, being parallel therewith and separated therefrom by the space I3. Provided in this extension are sockets I5, these being at right angles to the plane of the shank II] and opening beyond the outermost and innermost sides of said extension. The-sockets I are of different sizes to each I other for selectively accommodating a needle, a

portion thereof being indicated at I6. The purpose of having the sockets I5 of diiferent sizes is to accommodate needles of different sizes with respect to each other. The needle at the eye end I! thereof is counter-seated in a notch I8 formed in the shank I0 in confronting relation to its companion socket I5 so that the eye on the counter-seating thereof will have the opening therein in the longitudinal direction of the shank III which is elongated for a purpose presently described. Movably fitted upon the shank I0 is a sleeve-like runner or slide I9 from which projects at the end next to the recess I3 in the head I2 a threading hook 20 which is adapted to freely pass through the eye I! in the needle I6 when it is desired to catch a thread 2| for the passing of this thread through the eye I! forthe threading of said needle.

In threading the needle I6 in the use of the device A the loose or free thread is placed transversely of the head I2 through the recess I3 on the side of the needle eye I! remote from the slide I9 and its hook 211 so that when manipulating the slide I9 on the shank I0 this hook will first enter the eye I! to engage with the thread 2| whereby on' pulling upon this slide I9 in the direction of the terminal II the thread 2| engaged with the hook 20 will be drawn through the eye I! of the needle I6 and thereby threading the latter whence the thread 2| engaged in the eye ll of the needle will be disengaged from the hook 20 on the slide I9 and the needle threaded 'can be withdrawn from the head I2 of the device, the threading operation of the device being shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5 of the drawing.

What is claimed is:

' A device of the character described comprising a straight flat-faced shank, a hook-like head formed at one end of the shank and having a bill in spaced parallel relation to the shank for overhanging it for a distance thereof with the space therebetween opening through opposite sides of- 10 thread therewith when the runner is moved in one direction and the pulling of the thread through the eye of the needle when the runner moves in an opposite direction, the said needle eye and the extension of the runner being visible at either side of the head when the eye and extension are within the space between the bill and the shank, and a finger-engaging terminal turned from the shank at the end thereof remote from the head.

WILLIAM S. THOMPSON. 

